Night time politics
Here is your night time political takeaway from the first sitting day of parliament for 2016.
- As we leave you, the fate of a bill that aims to make it easier for Australia to send failed asylum seekers back to their home countries will rest with the Senate crossbench, after Labor confirmed that it will reject it. Passage of the bill would make it easier for Australia to return people to their home countries if they can change behaviours that mean they will not face harm at home, a provision Labor’s Andrew Giles calls “terribly Orwellian in concept”. The bill also includes provisions that say that asylum seekers must prove that they must face risk in all of their home country, rather than just parts of it. The Coalition says the changes will remove inconsistencies in Australia’s humanitarian program while still meeting Australia’s international obligations.
- The independent national security monitor Roger Gyles recommended national security laws should be amended to protect journalists more effectively. He said the laws introduced by the attorney general, George Brandis, could violate the implied freedom of political communication that has been recognised by the high court in the Australian constitution.
- The parliament has changed its rules for mothers so they can breast or bottle-feed in the chamber.
- The gathering in the government’s trade union royal commission chamber of secrets is rapidly dwindling. The day began with Labor and the Greens calling to see the closed volume of the TURC report. The day ends with Labor, the Greens, and perhaps indie senator Glenn Lazarus, rejecting the offer because the government’s conditions are too arduous. The Coalition was offering a look at the volume – made secret by the commissioner, Dyson Heydon, to protect witnesses – to persuade wavering crossbenchers to support a building watchdog. The bill for the Australian Building and Construction Commission was introduced to the house anyway. The support in the senate remains to be seen.
- Under questioning from Labor, Malcolm Turnbull said Mal Brough had done the right thing in stepping aside from his ministry position. Meanwhile, Brough and fellow former minister Jamie Briggs took their seats on the backbench.
That’s your lot for the night. Sorry for the large format on Husic below - hope you don’t drop your phone. Thanks for your company, to the brains trust Lenore Taylor, Daniel Hurst and Shalailah Medhora.
See you on the morrow.
Updated
Parliament became a beard-o-rama and an @aphbeard Twitter account became a thing.
We saw a glimpse of it when communications minister Mitch Fifeld appeared on the ABC.
Communicating a good beard for a good year @SenatorFifield pic.twitter.com/ZigyuCsmtI
— Parliament Beards (@aphbeards) February 1, 2016
Labor shadow treasurer Chris Bowen got in on the act.
Assistant cabinet secretary Scott Ryan. Do beards make you more serious?
I'm on @774melbourne speaking with @Raf_Epstein about the start of the political year here in Canberra #auspol pic.twitter.com/BjAygMoHnx
— Senator Scott Ryan (@SenatorRyan) February 2, 2016
They must do.
He got better.
Jamie Briggs had nothing to lose.
Former Palmer United party, now independent senator Glenn Lazarus has been asked on Sky about the $21m in political donations made by Clive Palmer’s Queensland Nickel, which has since collapsed. The money went towards the party’s election campaign.
Lazarus said he felt “pretty ordinary” about the plight of workers who have been left without entitlements.
I don’t feel good about it.
You would have heard by now that Ted Cruz beat Donald Trump in the Republican’s Iowa caucus while Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are still going neck and neck. While I hate to put you off this one, that live blog is fascinating.
*Drink*
And another beard.
The chamber has debated a technical point about the auditor general’s report into the East West Link in Melbourne. You will remember that the federal Coalition provided funding for the road to the Victorian Coalition government. The Victorian Labor opposition campaigned against the East West link and, when they won government, the then Abbott government said they would not provide the funding because the Labor state government was not building the road.
The auditor general’s report into the East West Link was critical and, strangely, the government has not managed to table the report as a parliamentary paper – which is normal practice. Anthony Albanese, the opposition spokesman on infrastructure, used his knowledge of the house procedures to talk about the report.
Updated
Fairfax’s Heath Aston reports:
A Turnbull government MP took a publicly funded “study tour” to Europe that included a visit to a Polish coalmine in which he owns shares.
Luke Simpkins, a West Australian Liberal, slugged taxpayers nearly $5000 for his seven-day jaunt through Poland and the Netherlands in April and May last year.
In his written report to the Department of Finance, Mr Simpkins said the purpose of his journey to Poland was to “examine the bilateral relationship, including economic opportunities for Australian businesses”.
Updated
Paul Fletcher got the last Dixer on western Sydney infrastructure. Question time is now over.
Labor's hirsute hipsters @edhusicMP & @Bowenchris model their summer beards #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/malkGE4PNX
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) February 2, 2016
Mark Dreyfus asks Turnbull: Can the PM please tell the house which members of his executive have informed him or his office that they have been contacted by the Australian federal police in relation to the Ashby affair?
Turnbull says the federal police have sought assistance from Christopher Pyne and Wyatt Roy, as well as Mal Brough.
Updated
Sharman Stone asks Barnaby Joyce a constituency question: how will our amendments to the Water Act help with the crisis my irrigators and food manufacturers now face in the Goulburn Murray irrigation districts as water prices in the temporary market soar over $300 per megalitre and how will the amendments help rebalance the Murray-Darling basin plan so it genuinely delivers a community, economy and environmental balance of interdependent interests?
Updated
Turnbull: "Mal Brough has done the right thing"
Dreyfus to Turnbull on Ashby affair: Documents were released today under FOI relating to the former special minister of state’s involvement in the Ashby affair. On 2 December last year, the PM said the former special minister of state would only be stood down if there were, and I quote, “new developments”. Given the special minister of state was stood down on 29 December, PM, what are these new developments?
The honorable member would be aware that the former special minister advised me that it had become apparent that police inquiries would not be completed before the parliament returned in February and so I announced on 29 December last year that he and I agreed that he stand aside as a minister pending completion of those inquiries. He has not, of course, been charged with any offence. There was no requirement under the statement of ministerial standards that he do stand aside but he has done the right thing.
Updated
Chris Bowen to Scott Morrison: Australian workers pay $176bn in tax every year but ATO data reveals one in four public and foreign companies earning over $100m in Australia pay no tax at all. Why is the treasurer determined to hit workers with a 15% GST, which will put up the cost of everything, instead of making large corporations just pay their fair share of tax?
Morrison:
They voted against laws in this place to make multinationals pay their fair share of tax. Legislation that was going to double the penalties and this went into force on 1 January despite the fact that those opposite voted against new laws in this country that crack down on multinational tax avoidance. And the reason for that, Mr Speaker, is because the member – the shadow assistant treasurer – wants to follow his pet project of some system which is going to punish overseas investors for investing in infrastructure in this country and the Treasury advises the government is a bad idea and it will cost jobs and growth.
Updated
A Dixer on science to Christopher Pyne.
Pardon my speed. I am just trying to address technical issues...
Chris Bowen asks Turnbull about Labor’s proposals to save $70bn.
The claimed $70bn in savings is a nonsense and the honourable member knows that. The savings the honourable member’s party has announced do not result in $70bn in savings, not by any measure. The items that they have hung their hat on, the increase in tobacco excise and the rules on gearing that have been announced in terms of multinational companies raise, they do raise billions of dollars, that’s true, but in the context, but in the context of the budgetary challenges we face, they are relatively modest.
Updated
A Dixer to the treasurer, Scott Morrison, on the transition from the mining boom. It’s all rosy, says Morrison.
What we are seeing is an Australian economy that is growing at twice the rate of comparable economies like Canada, for example, which also has a commodities base. So despite those headwinds, our economy, Mr Speaker, is moving forward and it is transitioning.
Updated
Clive Palmer asks Malcolm Turnbull when he will improve the gender balance in cabinet.
Turnbull says everyone would like to see more women in the parliament.
He says perhaps Palmer could put more women up as candidates at the next election.
Palmer had used the Trudeau cabinet as an example. To that, Turnbull says the Canadian prime minister had more women in his party room.
Shorten to Turnbull: Will the PM adopt Labor’s policies on closing superannuation loopholes, tobacco excise, multinational taxation, scrapping the emissions reduction fund, the baby bonus and the plebiscite, so that Australia can invest in the best-quality education for all our kids no matter where they live or the wealth of their parents?
Turnbull uses the GST debate including the South Australian Labor premier, Jay Weatherill, and NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird. He says Labor should put forward more proposals to raise funds to fix the budget problems.
Chris Bowen interjects that Labor’s announced proposals raise $70bn over 10 years.
Updated
Turnbull:
Our ground force’s contribution is second only to that in scale of the US. We have, in Iraq, trained over 2,600 Iraqi army personnel and that training work is continuing.
Updated
A Dixer to Turnbull asking for an update of the house on Australia’s contribution in the Middle East. This is about his recent visit.
No props.
The opposition, closely adhering to the no props rule; taunt the PM with signs #QT @gabriellechan @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/A15iOLxPBH
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) February 2, 2016
Kate Ellis to Turnbull: At the last election voters saw Coalition signs at polling booths that read, and I quote, “The Liberals will match Labor’s school funding dollar for dollar.” So will the PM live up to this promise and restore the $30bn in school funding that he’s already cut and match Labor’s investment for Your Child, Our Future schools plan dollar for dollar?
Turnbull flicks the question to the minister for education (senator Simon Birmingham) and Christopher Pyne (the previous minister) gets up.
Chris Bowen points out the mistake and Pyne tries to obfuscate in classic Pyne fashion.
No hide no Christmas box.
Updated
Dixer to Turnbull on jobs, employment, growth and the construction sector. Here comes the ABCC.
First question from Shorten to Turnbull: Liberals will match Labor’s school funding dollar for dollar; when will the Coalition sign up to the Gonski funding? The Labor MPs hold up signs and are reprimanded by the Speaker.
Turnbull says he remains committed to school funding.
The government is investing more money in schools than ever before. We have implemented needs-based funding and we have matched and we have exceeded the former Labor government’s funding over the four years from 2014. We have committed record levels of funding at $69.5bn over the forward estimates.
Fine print: The Coalition have not committed to years 5 and 6 of the Gonski funding – which were the big years. They remain in a holding pattern.
Updated
In the senate:
In the Senate, Penny Wong begins by challenging Malcolm Turnbull’s shifting position on an emissions trading scheme, a republic and marriage equality.
On the climate policy question, the attorney general, George Brandis, said both parties had “varied their views over the years”.
Wong presses Brandis to explain “why Malcolm Turnbull says one thing while his government does another”.
Brandis:
In all three issues, the nature of the issue has changed over the course of years. Everybody in this chamber, everybody who might be listening to this broadcast knows that ... The fact is that over the course of years many people’s views have changed on the way these issues ought be dealt with.
Updated
Bill Shorten is speaking on the bushfires.
Malcolm Turnbull is speaking on indulgence for the people affected by “natural disasters over the summer”. He is paying tribute to the people who have fought bushfires and floods across the country, particularly those who died.
Updated
Tony Abbott is in the house. Bishop appears close to tears about Carlton.
Bronwyn Bishop rises to point out she tried to speak in tribute to Jim Carlton, who held Mackellar before Bishop. Although the debate had been adjourned by the Speaker, Tony Smith, he allows Bishop to speak about Carlton.
Updated
Clive Palmer, who has been somewhat sought after since the political donations were released, is in the house.
Bill Shorten is paying tribute to Bannon.
Turnbull is speaking about Jim Carlton, who he said was a mentor. Turnbull notes he was at the forefront of economic debate within the Liberal party between the wets and dries. Carlton was a wet. Bill Shorten said Carlton was a gentleman who had rejected the Darwinian policies of Margaret Thatcher. Carlton later worked for the Red Cross.
Turnbull is now speaking about former South Australian Labor premier John Bannon.
Condolence motions first marking the death of former members Maggie Deahm and Jim Carlton.
The Fixer.
Independent national security monitor finds section 35P "arguably invalid"
A report by the INSM Roger Gyles has just been released into the controversial section 35P. That section allows journalists to be jailed if a disclosure of a Special Intelligence Operation would “endanger the health or safety of any person or prejudice the effective conduct of a special intelligence operation”.
Media companies protested against the legislation, which passed in 2014.
The report has found:
Section 35P is arguably invalid on the basis that it infringes the constitutional protection of freedom of political communication. Section 35P is also arguably inconsistent with article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and so not in accordance with Australia’s international obligations.
It recommends redrafting of the section.
Section 35P should be redrafted to treat insiders and outsiders separately, with one part dealing with third parties and another part dealing with insiders. There should be a basic offence (penalty five years imprisonment) and an aggravated offence (penalty 10 years imprisonment) in relation to both insiders and outsiders.
Paul Farrell will have a full report shortly because we have to get on with question time.
Lunchtime politics
- The government has agreed to open the door a crack on the secret trade union royal commission volume. Having originally said Labor and the Greens couldn’t enter the chamber of secrets, the Turnbull government has now agreed one member of each party could come. But now Labor and Greens don’t want to play. Only senators Jacqui Lambie, Dio Wang, Glenn Lazarus and Ricky Muir have agreed to enter the chamber of secrets. The government’s aiming to convince them to vote for the recreation of the Australian Building and Construction Commission. The ABCC bill was introduced to the house this morning. It has been rejected by the Senate once before.
- Parliament resumed for 2016 and Labor began by attacking Malcolm Turnbull on his change regarding marriage equality, an emissions trading scheme and a republic. The government gagged the motion.
- The prime minister told his party room to be ready for an election in August or September, except that a double dissolution is a “live option”. This got lots of people excited but was not very different from what he has said before.
- Prime minister’s office talking points were leaked to the ABC. And we learned that some of what comes out of politicians’ mouths is planned.
- New North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman was sworn in to replace the artist formerly known as treasurer Joe Hockey.
Updated
Some cracking Bowers pictures from the first foray in the house.
Behind you Barnaby. Or, in front of you Warren.
Briggs beard.
Updated
Just to clarify the earlier reports, Lenore Taylor says Turnbull told his party room the election is expected August or September but a double dissolution is “a live option” that has to be “weighed up”. Given the only trigger is the registered organisations bill – industrial relations – it would appear unlikely in my opinion.
Updated
The father and the youngest child.
Father of the House Philip Ruddock-42 years 133days Trent Zimmerman-31 minutes @GuardianAus @gabriellechan pic.twitter.com/v3GDlRSOlp
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) February 2, 2016
Back to the chamber of secrets. Family First senator Bob Day says he does not want to see the secret volume either. Day and Leyonhjelm are already voting to the ABCC. He says he thinks the government is close to winning support from some other crossbenchers but a long way off with others.
Updated
Christopher Pyne used some examples of “lawlessness” in the construction industry. The examples are awful. But it is surprising to see the examples written into parliamentary explanatory memoranda, which is normally a more neutral document. This is from the document.
Under the FW(BI) Act standards of behaviour in the industry have declined. The industry has returned to the ‘bad old days’ where disputes are violent and there exists thuggery and disregard for the rule of law.
Some examples of this lawlessness include:
In August 2012, the CFMEU / Myer Emporium dispute saw violence in city streets, militant protestors intimidating the community and attacks on police horses.
In November 2012, the Little Creatures brewery site in Geelong suffered a violent dispute where picketers were accused in court documents of making throat-cutting gestures, threats of stomping heads in, workers being told they were dead and of shoving, kicking and punching motor vehicles. On social media, a union member also threatened to boycott a local store for providing food to the workers on site.
In February 2013, City West Water in Werribee was subject to a dispute where protestors threatened people with ‘Columbian neckties’ and the dispute was so heated that workers had to be flown in by helicopter.
Updated
Christopher Pyne said the powers of the ABCC would be reviewed by the commonwealth ombudsman.
Updated
The text and explanatory memo has now been released on the ABCC bill. From the memo on the powers of the ABCC:
The commissioner may require a person to give information, produce documents or answer questions relating to an investigation of a suspected contravention of this bill or a designated building law by a building industry participant.
The ABC commissioner requires the person to do this by giving the person an examination notice, which the person must comply with. The commonwealth ombudsman oversees the exercise of these powers.
Australian Building and Construction inspectors, and federal safety officers, (who together are called authorised officers) are appointed in accordance with this chapter. Powers are conferred on these authorised officers. The powers include the power to enter premises, the power to ask a person’s name and address and the power to require persons to produce records or documents. It is an offence to intentionally hinder or obstruct an authorised officer who is exercising any of these powers.
Updated
Settling into the backbench Jamie Briggs and Mal Brough #parliament2016 @gabriellechan @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/UR0DscqSm9
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) February 2, 2016
Christopher Pyne is now onto the ABCC bill.
He is speaking to the bill, saying the commission is required because the building sector was found to be a hotbed of “intimidation, thuggery and violence”.
He reckons that makes the sector different to others in the economy.
Breast-feeding allowed in the lower house
Christopher Pyne has announced the standing orders will change to allow breast-feeding in the chamber. This is an implementation of recommendations in a report after Kelly O’Dwyer was told to express more milk in order to get to the chamber.
As the leader of the House of Representatives, I want to see as many women entering parliament as possible and for them to not be deterred by any antiquated rules or practices that currently govern how our Parliament operates.
There is absolutely no reason that rules should remain in place which make life in politics and the Parliament more difficult for women.
No member of Parliament, male or female, will ever again be prevented from participating fully in the law making processes of parliament because they are also caring for their child.
While this significant change only requires a single sentence to be amended in the rule book, I hope it sends a clear message.
I encourage the Senate and all states and territories follow our lead in these changes and that we all never stop looking for ways that we can encourage Australians from all walks of life to become involved in public life.
Updated
The prime minister presents revised ministry list – sans Jamie Briggs and Mal Brough.
Labor’s Tony Burke says on the PM’s web page, Briggs and Brough are still on the list.
Updated
Former ministers Ian “I wanna be a Nat” Macfarlane and Mal Brough are sitting together on the backbench.
The vote is now taking place on Labor’s motion on the prime minister. See 12:11pm post.
Second gag motion passes. Labor cannot speak to their motion.
The gag division passes.
Labor’s Tony Burke gets up to speak on the motion on Turnbull’s (former) beliefs.
A prime minister that says one thing and does another ...
Pyne gags Burke.
Updated
The Labor motion against Turnbull
1. That the House notes that:
a. On 22 February 2010, on Q&A, the now prime minister said: “My view is the market-based mechanism, the emissions trading scheme, is the most cost effective”;
b. On 3 June 2010, on Sunrise, the now prime minister said: “The Coalition does not have the best climate change policy, in my view”;
c. On 8 February 2010, during a speech to the house of representatives, the now Prime Minister said: “Having the government pick projects for subsidy is a recipe for fiscal recklessness on a grand scale”;
d. On 15 September 2015, on the PM program, the now prime minister said about marriage equality: “I certainly think we should have a free vote and I’ve been very public about that”; and
e. On 7 November 1999, on Meet the Press, the now prime minister said about a republic: “It needs a prime minister and a leader of the opposition working together to promote a Yes vote”; and
2. That the house affirms that:
a. An emissions trading scheme is the most cost effective way to combat climate change;
b. The Coalition does not have the best climate change policy;
c. Having the government pick projects for subsidy is a recipe for fiscal recklessness on a grand scale;
d. The parliament should have a free vote on marriage equality; and
e. A republic needs a prime minister and a leader of the opposition working together to promote a Yes vote.
Updated
Labor is wrong-footing the government as the first business. The Coalition agenda will now be taken up with the votes over this suspension motion.
Malcolm Turnbull has sold out everything he believed in.
Christopher Pyne, as manager of government business, shuts down debate. A vote is called.
Updated
Labor moves immediate suspension motion questioning Turnbull's view on marriage equality, the republic and an emissions trading scheme
Bill Shorten is seeking leave to move a motion questioning Turnbull on his views on climate change, Direct Action and an emissions trading scheme.
Then, also, marriage equality.
And the republic.
Updated
The as yet to be sworn in member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman in the house @GuardianAus @gabriellechan pic.twitter.com/RSp7K1SQbp
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) February 2, 2016
Someone is yelling from the gallery.
Speaker is announcing North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman.
A new member approaches.
Admit him, says the speaker.
Zimmerman swears. The Coalition claps.
Speaker Tony Smith is on his feet, reading the Lord’s prayer. Parliament is in session.
The Senate does not meet until 12.30pm.
Updated
The bells are ringing. Mikey is getting restless.
It's almost time to start @gabriellechan @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/5ZIi0E9hRw
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) February 2, 2016
The Nationals had their party room meeting last night. As mentioned earlier, there are great expectations that Warren Truss will retire. A cabinet reshuffle is waiting on it. But it is very much a moveable feast and some Nats are now wondering whether he will retire at all. Certainly, Truss has given no clue as to what he is doing.
In case you missed it, there has been serious positioning over the summer break. There seems to be a consensus forming that Barnaby “I’m ready to lead” Joyce has the numbers to win the leadership. Normally the deputy’s transition to leadership would be unremarkable in the Nats. They have largely been a hierarchical party that moves forward according to an orderly queue system. But Barnaby being Barnaby, he is a fairly polarising character notwithstanding his talent for “cut-through” – he does stand out. Therefore, the “anybody but Barnaby” camp also mobilised over the break.
The most mentioned name for that camp is Michael McCormack, the assistant infrastructure minister and favoured child of Truss. McCormack has told me that there is no vacancy – so speculation is just that. The Nats had their meeting yesterday afternoon. I am told there was no mention of leadership in that shindig.
Updated
Labor knocks back the TURC secret volume
Labor – specifically Mark Dreyfus – is not going into the chamber of secrets either, on the grounds that only one parliamentarian is allowed to view to document.
This is beyond farcical. For weeks the government has been point-blank refusing to provide this volume, now it’s backflipped. How can it be taken seriously when it keeps chopping and changing its position?
I refuse to play political games as dictated by George Brandis. The government has got itself into a huge mess because it wanted to play politics with this report. It’s either confidential or it’s not. I am part of a shadow cabinet that makes decisions collectively in relation to legislation, in close consultation with caucus.
No one individual makes decisions in relation to Labor party policy, in the same way that no one individual makes decisions for the government in relation to its policy.
Updated
Stop this boat.
I don't need to apply for a visa if I'm coming in by boat. The border is like Swiss cheese: https://t.co/YUCRx3C4rx https://t.co/emrPjqUnBS
— Roosh (@rooshv) February 2, 2016
Greens MP Adam Bandt is speaking to the media about the chamber of secrets. The Greens party room has voted against taking up the TURC offer because it creates two classes of parliamentarians. Those in the tent and those outside.
This is verging on the ridiculous. It is descending into a farce. Government is saying, on the one hand we have this document that contains so much important information that you need to see it in order to pass this bill, and on the other hand they are not letting people in parliament see it. If the government thinks this is so important, let all members of parliament and all senators see this document, debate it and discuss it. Transparency is to this government what sunlight is to a vampire.
Updated
Have a read of Lenore Taylor’s exclusive on health funding:
Federal and state governments are considering abandoning the $6bn commonwealth health insurance rebate in favour of direct subsidies to private hospitals in a radical revamp of hospital funding, a leaked draft agreement reveals.
The hospital shake-up is one of a series of complex interlinked deals critical to the commonwealth’s chances of getting state government support for an increase in the goods and services tax – shaping as the central battleground of this year’s federal election.
Greens reject TURC secret volume
Thanks to Dan Hurst for this little snippet:
The Greens party room has this morning decided to reject the government’s offer to allow one Greens member to view the secret volume of the trade union royal commission report. The Greens believe all members of parliament should see it.
The Greens apparently could not agree not to take notes or discuss the contents of the secret volume with others.
Updated
Return of the Kings never to return
Yuk.
The self-proclaimed leader of “neomasculinist” group, Return of the Kings, has not applied for a visa to visit Australia, despite tweeting his intention to visit the country, the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has confirmed.
Daryush Valizadeh, known as “Roosh V”, intends to hold “tribal meetings” in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
The group believes in ultra-conservative gender roles and has rued the rise of feminism for giving women more control over their sexuality.
A spokeswoman for Dutton has told Guardian Australia that Valizadeh, an American citizen, has not yet applied for a visa despite promoting the “tribal meeting” later this week.
No one of this name has a visa to visit Australia and has not applied for a visa. The minister has asked the department to continue to monitor this case. People who advocate violence against women are not welcome in Australia. In the past people advocating violence against women have had their visa refused or cancelled.
Updated
Don’t get excited.
#BREAKING: Malcolm Turnbull has told his party room an early election of both houses of Parliament is a live option.
— ABC News (@abcnews) February 1, 2016
Because, this is the quote a party room source via James Massola of Fairfax.
There is a budget in May ... and there will be an election, you know, all other things being equal, in August, September, October.
Of course, all parties are ready for an election this year. Of course, all parties will be in campaign mode this year. Of course, double dissolutions will be held over heads like swords of Damocles.
Situation normal.
Updated
Onwards and upwards to the National party and the elephant in the cabinet room.
Today will mark a few changes in the house chamber. Jamie Briggs and Mal Brough will sit on the backbench for the first time since the former resigned over a Hong Kong bar incident from the ministry and the latter stepped down pending the James Ashby police investigation.
All of which reminds us all that Malcolm T has yet to reshuffle his cabinet because he was waiting for an announcement from deputy prime minister Warren Truss regarding his future. Truss was widely expected to retire, but has not told anyone what his plans are.
Here he is, brimming with enthusiasm at the new parliamentary year.
Updated
Back to the sixth volume of TURC in the chamber of secrets. (Shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus is the one to journey into the chamber.)
On a more serious note, here is Bill Shorten on the various iterations of the chamber of secrets.
Q: Do you welcome the fact you’ll be able to access the sixth volume of the trade union royal commission report? And will that change your view, your party’s view, about the ABCC?
What a circus the government has been about this volume and confidential volumes of the royal commission. I said when I came back from our summer break that the royal commission did reveal unacceptable examples of thievery and taking from workers. But the way this government is playing these reforms – it smells more of politics than policy. The royal commissioner himself said these confidential volumes should be just that – they should be confidential but the government playing politics has said that some people can see it and others can’t. Now they have said that a Labor person can see it and others can’t.
Updated
The employment minister’s office tells me the ABCC bill – called Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2] – is still the same at this moment. The office is speaking to crossbenchers, who are keen the view the bill this morning. No further info on that and no bill yet sighted as you can see from the link above.
But – the Coalition is also planning to introduce a strengthened registered organisations bill, which also goes to union governance. This bill, known as Roc, would establish the Registered Organisations Commission, with investigation and information gathering powers to monitor and regulate registered organisations.
Roc 2 is expected later in the session.
Updated
I’m reminded by About the House – the parliamentary Twitter account – that Trent Zimmerman, Joe Hockey’s replacement in North Sydney, will be sworn in today.
Updated
Apropos the Coalition party room, Matt gives me my first belly laugh this morn.
@gabriellechan Can a broad church deliver a unified government? #canthaveitbothways #politicslive pic.twitter.com/crVwCwBoAU
— The Matt Hatter (@MattGlassDarkly) February 1, 2016
Updated
Coalition party room is also on this morning. Labor caucus, which normally meets on Tuesdays too, held it yesterday. They have embraced Turnbull’s call to be on the “balls of their feet”. Agile, people.
There is an organ donation report released at 9am by rural health minister Fiona Nash.
A ceremony at the Australian War Memorial to mark the start of parliament each year has become a thing since former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson became director. The ceremony was held last night and this time, Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten laid a wreath to commemorate the sacrifice of Captain Roger Forest Hughes a member of the 1st Australian Field Ambulance who died in 1916. He was a great uncle to Lucy Turnbull and thus, her father, former Liberal attorney general Tom Hughes, was there.
Updated
I am slightly confused about the ABCC bill.
Yesterday, employment minister Michaela Cash was out talking about intense negotiations she was having with the senate crossbenchers to convince them of the value of the ABCC bill.
We know that Palmer United senator Dio Wang wants to amend it to create a broader corruption body like a federal commission against corruption.
We know that has zero chance of getting up, without the support of one of the majors.
We know that Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm wants an eight-year sunset clause on the bill.
We know that Cash was talking up the prospects – with the usual caveats about the PM’s decision – of another double dissolution election trigger if the Senate rejects the ABCC bill for a second time.
So here is my confusion, if the ABCC is rejected and becomes a DD trigger, it has to be exactly the same bill. Otherwise the DD trigger does not work.
If Cash is in intense negotiations with the crossbenchers, that must leave the way open to change the bill. Otherwise it is not a negotiation.
When I spoke to indie senator John Madigan last night as he was hopping on the plane to come to Canberra, he laughed at the notion of intense negotiations. “I’ve had no negotiations since parliament rose”, he told me. “I’ve had one or two phone calls. Is that intense?”
Dio Wang also told me he had not seen the new bill.
Fetch the bill!
I have asked Cash’s office for clarification and shall bring it to you as soon as I hear.
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The international development minister, Steve Ciobo, is speaking on Sky. He says the ABCC bill is not about politics, nor is it about the election. It is about protecting the Australian people from union “rorting” exposed by the trade union royal commission.
I get the Australian Labor party is not going to want the ABCC. The Australian Labor party is the political arm of the trade union movement.
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Parliament starts at 12pm but already the prime minister’s office talking points have been leaked to Chris Uhlmann at the ABC. Presumably this is one of the conservatives being helpful – the way the Turnbullets were being helpful in under the Abbott regime.
The points:
focus on being proactive and getting our message out about innovation, jobs and economic growth.
Don’t think we needed a talking point to work that out.
Finance minister Mathias Cormann played it down.
I believe the Turnbull government is a strong and united team.
Resources minister Josh Frydenberg said the Coalition are as disgruntled as Labor. Or something like that...
There are many people in the party room, obviously some are disgruntled, but that is not any different to what the Labor caucus is like. I can’t stop everybody or somebody might leak some talking points, but I don’t think that reflects a broader sense of disunity in the government at all.
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Herewith, the readings. To the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Thank you, brother Frank.
The church readings from Turnbull and Shorten at this morning’s Parliamentary service @abcnews pic.twitter.com/p5dcshPOpL
— Frank Keany (@FJKeany) February 1, 2016
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This is not the secret service.
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Good morning and welcome to #politicslive 2016.
We have a veritable smorgasbord of politics for you today.
First order of business for the government is the bill to reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission. This is the “building watchdog”, first set up by the Howard government to oversee the building industry (read unions). The Labor government shut it down. Then the Abbott and now Turnbull government is trying to reinstate it. Employment minister Michaela Cash is seeking to convince six of the eight crossbenchers to vote with the government by showing them the secret volume of the trade union royal commission report.
This volume is secret, the government says, because witnesses need to be protected. Cash had refused Labor and the Greens on the grounds they would not support the ABCC bill anyway.
The debate has moved a tad further this morning with Cash allowing one Labor member and one Greens member into the secret chamber. No staff, no pens, no questions. We shall see where that goes today.
Best get to it. Join us in the thread below or on the Twits @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. Mikeroo has some smashing pictures of the Australian War Memorial ceremony last night and the traditional church service for parliamentarians this morn.
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